Church commemorates Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb

Icon from the Savvo-Visher Monastery, 13th – early 14th century. Fragment. Kyiv National Museum of Russian Art. Photo: wikimedia.org

On August 6 (July 24 according to the Julian calendar), the Orthodox Church commemorates the holy right-believing princes and passion-bearers Boris and Gleb – the first saints to be canonized in the 11th century on the lands of Kyivan Rus’.

The holy brothers, sons of Grand Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavych, were killed in 1015 by their elder brother Sviatopolk, later known as “the Accursed.” Boris and Gleb offered no resistance to their murderers, choosing martyrdom over civil strife – a model of Christian humility and self-sacrifice.

The Life of Boris and Gleb became one of the earliest works of Old Rus’ literature. Their feat – renouncing the struggle for power to prevent bloodshed – continues to serve as an example of Christian love, peace, and brotherly compassion.

The faithful turn to the holy passion-bearers in prayer for peace in families, the end of enmity, and protection from internal discord.

Earlier, the UOJ examined why Princes Boris and Gleb represent a paradox in the history of sainthood in Kyivan Rus’.

Read also

Archbishop Simeon speaks about situation surrounding Sinai Monastery

The new abbot of the Sinai monastery hopes the issue of recognition by the Egyptian authorities will be resolved soon.

UOC files complaint over arbitrariness in Kuzmyn church seizure – lawyer

Following the forcible seizure of the UOC Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Khmelnytskyi region, a crime report has been filed and court actions have been launched.

Armenian Church hierarch moved from pretrial detention to house arrest

Yerevan’s Court of Appeal granted the defense motion for Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan.

In Baturyn, armed police "guard" convent from nuns and parishioners

Sisters of the St. Nicholas Krupytsky Convent of the UOC and local believers have been denied entry to the monastery grounds for hours, which has been turned into a restricted facility.

UOC's foreign mission reports manipulations around its activities

The Western European Vicariate emphasized that UOC parishes abroad operate independently and were created for the spiritual care of the Ukrainian diaspora.

Clergy meeting of Western European Vicariate of UOC held in Italy

The annual gathering of clergy of the Vicariate took place in the city of Bari under the chairmanship of Bishop Veniamin.